Justice News

Manchester Man Pleads Guilty To Role In Credit Union Robbery

CONCORD, N.H.– Emily Gray Rice, United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, announced that Derek Potocki, 31, previously of Manchester, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to an Indictment charging him with one count of aiding and abetting bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and 2.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2015 Potocki pressured Melissa Boucher, 27, previously of Manchester, to rob a bank for him. Potocki selected the bank and provided Boucher with instructions including how to dress and disguise her appearance. The two proceeded to the Member’s First Credit Union at 44 Bridge Street in Manchester on the morning of March 3, 2015. Boucher, who was unarmed at the time, did as she had been instructed, entering the bank alone, passing the note to the teller, and making out with a sum of cash. She then fled with the cash, and the proceeds were divided between her and Potocki. Boucher then utilized a portion of the proceeds to purchase heroin, on which she overdosed. When paramedics were able to resuscitate her, large amounts of cash fell out of her clothing. She was arrested and has remained in custody on a New Hampshire state parole violation since that date. Potocki took his portion of the funds and fled the area.

Boucher previously pleaded guilty to her role in the robbery and is scheduled for sentencing on September 9, 2016 in front of U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty.

Potocki’s plea agreement includes a binding stipulated sentence of 72 months’ incarceration. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 22, 2016, in front of Judge McAuliffe. At that time, the Court will decide whether to accept the plea agreement and impose the agreed-upon period of incarceration, as well as any other conditions of Potocki’s sentence. Potocki also faces a mandatory restitution order to the Member’s First Credit Union.

This matter is being investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.